Counterculture and Catalyst: Judaism’s Dual Role in Shaping Civilization with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, President and CEO of the Hadar Institute, as we explore how Judaism has served both as a counterculture and a catalyst—challenging prevailing norms while inspiring the world’s moral and spiritual imagination.As we approach Hanukkah, this timely discussion will also consider how Judaism has drawn from and reinterpreted surrounding cultures, enriching Jewish life while influencing civilizations throughout history. Through vivid examples from Jewish thought and tradition, Rabbi Kaunfer will guide us in reflecting on how this dynamic interplay—of standing apart and engaging deeply—shapes our values today and what it teaches us about living meaningfully and courageously in the modern world.
About Rabbi Elie Kaunfer

Rabbi Elie Kaunfer is President and CEO of the Hadar Institute. A graduate of Harvard College, he was ordained and earned his doctorate in liturgy at the Jewish Theological Seminary. A Wexner Graduate Fellow and Dorot Fellow, he co-founded the independent minyan Kehilat Hadar and has been named multiple times to Newsweek’s list of the top 50 rabbis in America. He was also selected as an inaugural AVI CHAI Fellow and is the author of Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities (Jewish Lights, 2010).